Connector for a lamp



' M y 5, 1970 I A. H. SOLTAN 19,

CONNECTOR FOR A LAMP Filed NOV 8, 1967 33 f m x 2 34 26 F/G.3 .5 '7Qf 2, /9 3 I a 50 l 20 32 I 29 \Q INVENTOR. ALFRED H. SOLTAN ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,510,826 CONNECTOR FOR A LAMP Alfred H. Sultan, 6789 Clyde St., Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375 Filed Nov. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 681,440 Int. Cl. H01r 33/08 US. Cl. 339-50 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is essentially concerned with a connector for fluorescent lamps, wherein a body has one region configured for complementary facing relation with a lamp, having contacts in the body for engagement with terminals of the lamp with supply conductors extending from the body for connection to an electric source, and starter means encased in the body electrically connected to the contacts and supply conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in the art, the use of fluorescent lamps commonly involves one or more separate starters, mounting therefor, electric contacts and other necessities for a separate starter. The use of separate starters in conjunction with fluorescent lamps thus increases costs of both labor and materials, as well as space requirements, and also makes such structures of uncertain reliability being readily subject to malfunction by vibration, shock, corrosion, atmospheric conditions, and the like.

SUMMARY Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a unique and highly improved con nector for fluorescent lamps which overcomes the abovementioned difliculties wherein the connector is incorporated in the starter by a unique structure which effectively eliminates the previously required starter socket base, its attachment to a fixture, and the labor, equipment and supplies involved therein.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a unique connector for fluorescent lamps which enhances reliability of operation by minimizing malfunction due to vibration, corrosion and wear, reducing the number of wires necessary to effect simpler, more compact design, while minimizing hazards of fire and electric shock.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a connector for fluorescent lamps having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is more durable and long-lasting in use, simpler to install and manipulate, neater and more attractive in appearance, and which can be economically manufactured to effect substantial savings in cost.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawing, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the con struction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing an annular fluorescent lamp and connector constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the connector being associated in its normal connected position radially of the lamp.

3,510,826 Patented May 5, 1970 FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the connector separated or withdrawn from its normal radial position with respect to the lamp.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 1, but showing the connector in its connected condition with the lamp.

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevational view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing internal construction of the connector in greater detail.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a slightly modified embodiment of the instant connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and specifically to FIGS. l-4 thereof, a fluorescent lamp is there generally designated 10, and assumes the configuration of an annular or circular tube 11. The tube 11 is conventionally fabricated of straight tube stock and curved or bent to bring its ends together, where they are joined by a band or fitting 12, which may mount and cover the internal electrical elements. The band 12. may carry terminals, such as prongs 13 for electrical engagement with appropriate contacts, as will appear more fully hereinafter. As thus far described, the lamps 10 may be conventional.

A connector is generally designated 15 and movable into and out of complementary facing relation with respect to the lamp 10, and specifically with respect to the fitting or band 12. The connector 15 is disposed, in its connected relation with the lamp 10, extending radially inwardly therefrom.

Considering FIGS. 3-5 in greater detail, the band 12 is shown as being formed of a pair of generally semicircular sections 17 and 18 arranged to define an annulus about the adjacent ends of tube 11 and secured together, as by a diametral fastener 19. One section, say section 17 of band 12 is formed with a socket 20, from the bottom wall of which project the terminal pins 13. In practice, there way be four terminal pins 13- located in rectangular arrangement and projecting radially inwardly of the annular lamp 10.

The connector 15 includes a somewhat elongate body 21 having one end region 22 adjacent to the lamp band 12 and extending radially inwardly therefrom to its opposite radially inner end region 23. The connector body 21 is advantageously fabricated of a pair of complementary sections, the embodiment of FIGS. 35 being formed of a pair of upper and lower sections 24 and 25, respectively, as seen in the drawings. The body sections 24 and 25 may be individually molded, say of plastic, by any suitable procedure, and are fixedly secured together in adjacent, superposed relation, as by a dovetail-type connector plate or spline 26.

The inner end region 22 of the connector body 21 is formed with a plurality, namely four openings 27 extending inwardly through the end region 22 to the interior of the body. Specifically, the openings 27 may be four in number and arranged generally rectangularly for respective reception of terminal pins 13 when the body end region 22 is inserted into socket 20. As viewed in the drawings, an upper pair of openings 27 is located in the upper body section 24, and a lower pair of openings 27 is located in the lower body section 25. In addition, electrical contacts, such as resilient leaf members 28 are each mounted in a respective opening 27 for electrical engagement with respective terminal pins 13 in the connected condition of FIG. 3.

Opening through the other end 23 of body 21, in the lower body section 25, is a passageway 29; and an additional passageway 32 may open from the passageway 29 through the underside of the section 25. Supply conductors 30 may each be connected to a respective lower contact 28, and extend from the connector 15, as through opening 32, for connection to a source of electrical suply. Alternatively, the conductors 30 may extend through the passageway 29, as shown in phantom.

The body section 24 extends laterally or upwardly from the generally longitudinally extending contacts 28 and conductors 30, and is further provided with an extension 31 which projects beyond the end region 22, on one side thereof and is arcuately configured, as at 32 for conforming engagement with an adjacent portion of band 12. This assures proper interengagement between terminal pins 13 and contacts 28, when the connector 15 is in its complementary facing relation with respect to the lamp 10, as seen in FIG. 3.

Carried in the body section 24 and its extending portion 31 is starter means 33 and 34, which may include a glow switch and capacitor, respectively. The glow switch 33 and capacitor 34 of the starter means are appropriately electrically connected to contacts 28, as by conductors 35, and may advantageously be encapsulated or embedded in the body section 24, as by suitable plastic composition, or the like. FIG. illustrates, in greater detail, the embedding or encapsulating of the starter means 33 and 34 in the body section 24.

In this condition, it will be appreciated that the unitary connector is quickly, easily and simply connected to and disconnected from the lamp bulb 10, the starter 33, 34 being completely rotected within the connector body 21 without requiring separate connection to the circuit.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a connector is generally designated 15b and may include a body 21b of similar outline configuration to the body 21. The body 21b is also sectional, being subdivided into a pair of complementary, hollow half sections 24b and 25b meeting along a longitudinal centerline of the connector. Thus, the body sections 24b and 25b may be substantially identical, but of opposite hand. The body sections 24b and 25b are provided with openings 27b substantially identical to the openings 27 and containing contacts 28b, which may be the same as contacts 28. However, the body sections 24b and 25b may be advantageously secured together by a transverse fastener 37, say suitable threadedfastener means which may be detachable for access to the interior of the body 21b.

Carried in an upper interior region of the sectional body 21b may be starter means 33b similar to the starter means 33 of the previously described embodiment, but accessible upon separation of the body sections. Of course, the body sections 24b and 2512 may be permanently secured together by any suitable means, if desired. Also, the interiorly hollow sections 24b and 25b, which combine to spacedly receive the starter means 3312, may be suitably filled to embed the starter means in one or both of the body sections.

From the foregoing, it is believed demonstrated that a connector for a fluorescent lamp is provided which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A connector for an annular fluorescent lamp having electric terminals, said connector comprising a body having complementary sections, and having one region configured for complementary facing relation with said lamp, contacts carried by said body for engagement with said terminals when said body is in said complementary facing relation, supply conductors extending from said body for connection to a source of electric supply, and starter means encased within one of said complementary sections of the body and electrically connected to said supply conductors and contacts.

2. A connector according to claim 1, said body having openings in said one region for receiving said terminals, and said contacts being located in said openings for engagement with said terminals.

3. A connector according to claim 1, said body comprising fastener means securing said sections together.

4. A connector for an annular fluorescent lamp having electrical terminals, said connector comprising a body being of an elongate configuration and having one region configured for complementary facing relation with said lamp, contacts carried by said body for engagement with said terminals when said body is in said complementary facing relation, supply conductors extending from said body for connection to a source of electric supply, and starter means encased in said body and electrically connected to said supply conductors and contacts, said body having said one region at one end thereof and said supply conductors extending therefrom adjacent an other end, said contacts being located at said one end of the body and communicating with the exterior thereof for engagement of said terminal, said starter means being located on one side of said contacts and supply conductors.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,186,578 l/l940 Doughman 339192 X 2,400,381 5/1946 Young 33951 X 2,737,635 3/1956 Lane 3395O X KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 3l572; 339192 

